jackx123. Where's the difficulty? It's quite simple. Boys want to fly. The military wants them to fly and replace those who leave to become civilian pilots. The military select those they think could make the grade and trains them for a year to 18 months, during which time some boys get thrown out for not keeping up with the pace.
During training it becomes clearer which pimply youths will be best suited to which flying roles. Out of, say 70 who start a course, maybe 50 complete it. As a rough idea, 10 each go to helicopters, heavy transport, fighters, recce and maritime ops, or whatever other flying specialisations you can dream up.
In the above example only 20% become potential "killers" and possibly in later years a few others might transfer into that specialist role. But of those who ever fire a missile or guns and know they killed someone, very few will enjoy that experience or memories.
Even the pilots of fast metal prefer shooting targets and the exhilaration of speed. I know some of them including one who shot down a Mig. He doesn't brag and sometimes he doesn't dream too well.
I have had bullet holes more than once through my helicopter, including the cockpit. Our operations took us into known 'hot' zones to drop troops and evacuate the wounded. I and my crew were defenceless and did the job because it needed to be done. Some friends got killed in action, but really most of we youngsters just loved the flying.
Many of us left the military after completing service periods and some of us became civilian pilots. Only one from my course was a braggart and the rest settled well into airlines, etc. I hear more bragging at flying clubs than from my ex military fellows.
We have every reason to be quietly proud of serving our countries and most of us are grateful for the free training. Furthermore I'm certain that over 95% are relieved not to have been required to kill anyone.
Do military-trained pilots make better pilots than civilian-trained pilots in specific roles, after both have been through careful selection? NO!
Are military-trained pilots more likely on average to be trainable in a wide variety of piloting roles than civilian-trained pilots who haven't been through a rigorous selection process, such as imposed on applicants for North Sea pilot jobs? YES!
Last edited by Colibri49; 7th Sep 2010 at 21:01.